You’ve probably seen the highlight reels. Jannik Sinner stands three feet behind the baseline, takes a massive, violent rip at a ball, and somehow it stays two inches inside the line. It’s a sound like a gunshot. Naturally, you look at the frame in his hand, see the white and black cosmetics, and think, "I need to buy that Head Speed MP."
But here’s the thing—and honestly, this is where most people get it wrong—what Sinner is swinging isn't exactly what you’re pulling off the shelf at your local tennis shop.
While the paint job screams Head Speed MP 2026, the soul of that racket is something much older and far more specific. Sinner is a creature of habit. He’s been using a customized pro-stock frame known as the TGT 301.4 for years. This isn't some secret conspiracy; it's just how the pro tour works. These guys find a "mold" they love in their teens and they almost never let it go.
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What Racket Does Sinner Use? Behind the Paint Job
If you want the short answer, Jannik Sinner endorses the Head Speed MP. Specifically, as of 2026, he is the face of the new Speed line featuring Hy-Bor technology and Auxetic 2.0. It’s a beautiful stick. It’s got that matte anthracite finish with white accents that looks more like a luxury car than a piece of sports equipment.
But if you could scrape off that fancy 2026 paint, you’d find a mold based on the Graphene Touch Speed MP from back in 2016.
Why? Because the 2016 version had a constant 22mm beam. It’s thinner and more flexible than the modern retail versions, which have beefed up to 23mm to help club players get more "free" power. Sinner doesn't need free power. He generates enough force to break a brick wall. He needs the "feel" and the "dwell time" that only a thinner, more flexible frame can provide.
The Specs: Not as Heavy as You’d Think
There’s a myth that pro rackets have to be heavy enough to use as a boat anchor. Sinner actually proves that’s not true. His setup is surprisingly "light" for a world number one, but it's incredibly "polarized."
- Strung Weight: Approximately 325g (11.5 oz).
- Balance: 33.3 cm (about 4 points head light).
- Swingweight: This is the big debate. Most experts like dr325i from the Talk Tennis forums peg it at 340, though some tour stringers have measured it closer to 331.
- String Pattern: 16x19 (Standard "open" pattern for spin).
Basically, he keeps the static weight low so he can whip the racket through the air like a literal lash, but he puts lead tape at the 10 and 2 o'clock positions on the head. This gives him a massive swingweight, which translates to that "heavy" ball that pushes opponents back.
The Hy-Bor 2026 Evolution
So, if he’s using an old mold, why does Head keep releasing new versions? Well, for us mortals, the new tech actually matters. The 2026 Speed series introduced Hy-Bor, which is a mix of carbon and boron fibers.
Boron is stiff. Like, really stiff. By putting it in the shaft, Head made the racket feel way more stable when you're stretched out wide or trying to volley a 100mph heater. Sinner’s "retail" recommendation, the Speed MP, uses this to bridge the gap between a "player's frame" and something that won't kill your arm if you miss the sweet spot by a millimeter.
The String Setup That Would Break Your Arm
Here is where it gets kind of crazy. If you want to play like Sinner, you don’t just need his racket; you need his strings. And his tension? It's terrifying.
Sinner uses a full bed of Head Hawk Touch 1.30mm (16 gauge). This is a "round" polyester string designed for pure control. Most club players string their rackets around 50 or 52 lbs. Sinner? He’s usually at 28 kg, which is roughly 61.7 lbs.
Imagine hitting a tennis ball with a piece of plywood. That’s what 61 lbs of polyester feels like.
For Sinner, it’s a necessity. He swings so fast that if he used a lower tension, the ball would fly into the third row of the stands. The high tension "deadens" the string bed, allowing him to take full-blooded cuts at the ball and keep it in the court. Unless you have world-class technique and a lot of forearm strength, do not try this at home. You’ll have tennis elbow before the end of the first set.
No Dampener, No Problem
You’ll also notice Sinner doesn't use a vibration dampener. He likes the "ping." He wants to hear and feel exactly where the ball hit the strings. He uses a Head Hydrosorb Pro replacement grip with a Head Prestige Pro overgrip (white, always white) wrapped slightly lower on the handle for more leverage on the serve.
How to Get the "Sinner Feel" Without Being a Pro
You probably can’t find a TGT 301.4 pro-stock frame unless you’re willing to drop $800 on eBay. But you can get close.
If you’re a Sinner fan, the best move is to grab the retail Head Speed MP 2026. It’s the closest thing to his specs in terms of head size (100 sq in) and weight. If it feels too light, you can buy a little lead tape and put a few strips at 10 and 2 o'clock.
Just... maybe don't string it at 61 lbs. Start at 53 lbs with a softer poly like Head Lynx Tour or even Hawk Power.
Honestly, the "Speed" line is popular for a reason. It’s the "Goldilocks" of rackets—not too stiff like a Babolat Pure Drive, not too soft like a Wilson Blade. It’s right in the middle. It’s the perfect platform for someone who wants to dominate from the baseline but still needs enough maneuverability to finish points at the net.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Demo the Head Speed MP 2026: Before you commit, test it against the Speed Pro. The Pro has a tighter 18x20 pattern which offers more control but is much harder to swing for 2 hours.
- Check Your Tension: If you’re currently using a polyester string, try a mid-range tension like 52 lbs. If you find the ball is flying long constantly, then move up in 2-lb increments.
- Lead Tape Experiment: If the racket feels "flimsy" against heavy hitters, add 2 grams of lead tape to the hoop. It's the cheapest way to make a $260 racket feel like a custom pro-stock frame.